Baxter Center Lab Grant Program

Applications Have Closed for 2025

The Baxter Center for Science Education lab grant program seeks to expand the capacity of biotech equipment and supplies across Chicagoland middle and high schools. This year, we will be awarding lab grants to 15 teachers to celebrate our 15-year anniversary!

Who is Eligible to Apply?
In accordance with the mission of our program to promote equity in science education, we will prioritize Cook and Lake County public middle and high school educators that serve students who have been traditionally underrepresented in STEM, such as communities with high Black, Indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC) and low-income populations.

What are the details of the Lab Grant?
We award funding of biotechnology lab equipment and supplies, typically in the $100-$1000 range.  Once proposals are reviewed and accepted, the Baxter Center team will work with you to order and deliver materials directly to your school. 

How do I apply?
Complete a short application with your requested materials and classroom impact.

What are some examples of typical equipment and supplies that will be funded?

  • Pipetting Supplies (fixed volume pipettes, adjustable volume pipettes, learn to pipette kits such as miniPCR’s microliter madness) 
  • Gel Electrophoresis (standard or blue light gel systems, DIY kits such as miniPCR Bandit) 
  • Visualization Tools (light boxes, miniPCR p51 viewers) 
  • Heating Tools (microwave, hotplates, heat blocks, thermal cyclers, incubators) 
  • Lab Tools (stirrers, centrifuges, scales, beakers, flasks, tube racks) 
  • Plastic Consumables (Petri dishes, pipette tips, centrifuge tubes, PCR tubes) 
  • Room Temp Reagents (blood typing kits, dye-based gel electrophoresis kits from miniPCR, agarose, buffer, acetone) 
  • Microscopes 
  • PPE (Lab Coats, Goggles, Gloves, UV Sanitizing Cabinet) 
  • Other Items (let us know what you are thinking!) 

How does this process work?

  1. Apply to the lab grant program by February 28, 2025. 
  2. Applications reviewed by staff and applicants are notified of decision by March 31, 2025. 
  3. The Baxter Center team will confirm details and order materials.  
  4. The Baxter Center team will work with you to deliver materials by the beginning of the upcoming school year around August 2025. 
  5. The Baxter Center team will follow up with you to see how the new supplies are working out! 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much money can I apply for? 
    • We expect supply costs to fall within the $100 - $1,000 range, but if you need something more or less expensive, tell us why! We will consider all compelling needs.  
  • What can the funds be used for? 
    • We are particularly interested in funding biotechnology equipment and supplies to support the sustainable impact of our Baxter Box program. 
  • What are my responsibilities if I receive funding? 
    • We ask that you use the materials and report back to us on how things went. The report will be a quick email or survey along with a request for something that we can share through social media: a thank you note, a quick story, short video, or photos approved for distribution.  
  • I am an educator, but I teach in an informal/out-of-school setting. Should I apply? 
    • All are welcome, but our priority is public middle and high school science teachers in Cook and Lake County. 
  • Who reviews the applications? 
    • Applications will be reviewed by BCSE team members. 
  • Can I receive materials multiple years?  
    • At this time, we will be prioritizing applicants who have not received lab grants from us in the past.